Maseru, Feb. 10—-Chief Justice Sakoane Sakoane has on Tuesday raised a concern about exhibits that were tempered with.
This was during submissions by the prosecution in a case in which two army members are charged with the murder of Lisebo Tang which occurred near the home of Retired Army Commander Lieutenant General Tlali Kamoli in 2014.
The Chief Justice stated that as there is evidence that the firearms which were submitted by the army to the police in relation to this matter did not match the bullets found at the scene, this shows that the exhibits were tempered with.
He pointed out that it is a criminal offence to tamper with exhibits just to cover up adding that defeating the ends of justice is even more serious of an offence.
The Chief Justice questioned why the police or the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) did not find it necessary for further investigations to be conducted to establish what happened to the exhibits and people involved in the tempering be held accountable.
He remarked that it seems the police did not do their work as they did not inquire about the movement of the weapons/ exhibits or ask for a statement when they were submitted.
Chief Justice Sakoane emphasised that the rule of law is critical. He said it is worrying that there is a possibility that the security of the nation is in the hands of dishonest people adding that there are dishonest law enforcement officers who do not honour an oath they took.
Sergeant Tjekane Sebolai and Private Selone Ratsiu who were on May 09 2014 on a night duty at the residence of Kamoli are alleged to have shot and killed Lisebo Tang who was in the company of Tsépo Jane who survived the shooting with injuries. It is further alleged that they also damaged the vehicle in which Tang and Jane were travelling in.
Evidence presented before the court revealed that the accused shot at the vehicle in which Jane and Tang were travelling in because it matched a description of the vehicle mentioned in the Red Alert which stated that there was a white 4×4 vehicle dropping bombs at places. It further revealed that Jane and Tang ignored warnings and instructions from the accused to step out of the vehicle and identify themselves.
The evidence showed that the accused considered the vehicle a threat due to the manner in which it conducted itself around the home of the army commander and their work vicinity. It added that they were following the order: “capture the enemy, if it resists or flees, eliminate it”, when they shoot at the vehicle.
The accused were initially charged together with Private Kopano Matsoso who was in 2020 acquitted after the court ruled that he did not have a case to answer as there was no evidence linking him to the offences charged.
Apart from murder, the accused are also standing trial for attempted murder and malicious damage to property.
The prosecution in this matter is represented by Advocate Motene Rafoneke while the defence is represented by Adv. Sello Ts’abeha.
Ends/SM/BM